The National Gallery of Australia (NGA) has announced it will implement rolling closures for essential building repairs, warning that the institution lacks sufficient funding to complete all necessary infrastructure work. In its latest annual report, the gallery revealed that ongoing issues including roof leaks and aging infrastructure will force temporary closures of both public and operational spaces as repair work progresses.
Despite previous government commitments, the gallery continues to struggle with what it describes as "a significant backlog of building failures and aging infrastructure." The report states that building rectification projects will remain ongoing for years to come, with the essential work currently only partially funded. Gallery officials have implemented short-term measures to mitigate risks of water damage affecting the national collection, visitors, and staff.
The funding crisis comes more than two years after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the NGA in April 2023, promising to address the institution's infrastructure problems. During that visit, Albanese criticized the situation, stating, "The idea that you would house a $500-million artwork in a building with buckets to collect leaks from a leaky roof is absurd. We're a better country than that, and Australia deserves better than that." At the time, he announced that his government would spend more than half a billion dollars on the nation's collecting institutions.
Of the $535 million allocated to cultural institutions, the National Gallery was designated to receive $119.1 million, making it the second-largest recipient after the National Library's $146.2 million. However, the gallery's current situation suggests this funding falls short of what's needed for comprehensive repairs. The institution, which houses Jackson Pollock's famous "Blue Poles" painting, continues to deal with persistent infrastructure challenges.
According to the annual report, the gallery hired a construction contractor in March for rectification works that included $25.5 million for crucial waterproofing. Additionally, $12 million in construction work is currently underway at the gallery's storage facility. These projects represent part of the effort to protect the institution's $5 billion national collection, which belongs to all Australians.
Independent Senator for the ACT David Pocock has criticized the federal government for what he views as broken promises. "I had hoped the government would actually follow through with their commitment. They told us that they were going to ensure that our national cultural institutions had the funding that they needed, and clearly, that isn't the case," Pocock said. He expressed particular concern about the ongoing roof leaks, noting that after four years of Labor government, the problem persists.
Pocock emphasized the economic logic of protecting the collection, stating, "I think in terms of a cost benefit analysis, if you have $5 billion worth of collections that belong to all Australians, you'd think that fixing a leaky roof would probably pass that. This is something that we have to do." His comments highlight the urgency of addressing infrastructure issues that threaten one of Australia's most valuable cultural assets.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher defended the government's commitment to the NGA, acknowledging that discussions are ongoing. "The gallery has come to the government with a number of things they are wanting extra investment for, and we're working through that," the ACT Labor senator said. She emphasized the importance of the gallery's collection while noting the need to carefully evaluate costs when requests come to the government.
Gallagher acknowledged the challenges facing the institution, stating, "They have a priceless collection at the gallery and we need to make sure it's fit for purpose. But, we obviously also need to test some of those costs when they come to the government. There's more work to do. It's an aging building." Her comments suggest that while the government recognizes the gallery's needs, budget considerations continue to influence funding decisions.
The ongoing infrastructure crisis at the National Gallery highlights broader challenges facing Australia's cultural institutions. As one of the country's premier art museums, the NGA's struggles with basic maintenance and waterproofing raise questions about the long-term preservation of Australia's national cultural heritage. The anticipated rolling closures will likely impact public access to the collection and may affect the gallery's ability to host major exhibitions and educational programs.
